logo
Researchers develop brain training game for chronic nerve pain

Researchers develop brain training game for chronic nerve pain

Hans Indiaa day ago

New Delhi: Australian researchers have developed a new interactive game, showing early promise as a non-invasive, drug-free alternative for managing chronic nerve pain.
The project, called PainWaive, trains users to regulate abnormal brain activity linked to neuropathic pain, Xinhua news agency reported.
Developed by researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW), the game uses a headset to monitor brainwaves in real time while players engage with a mobile game that rewards healthy brainwave patterns, offering a potential home-based replacement for painkillers such as opioids.
Three out of four participants reported significant pain reduction after four weeks of use in a recent trial. Their relief was comparable to or greater than what is typically achieved with opioid medication, the team found.
The game is based on disrupted brainwave activity in people with nerve pain, particularly changes in the thalamus -- a key relay centre in the brain.
The technology helps users retrain abnormal brain activity using mental strategies like relaxation or positive imagery, said Sylvia Gustin, professor at UNSW. The findings are published in the Journal of Pain.
'Participants felt empowered to manage their pain in their own environment. That's a huge part of what makes this special,' said Dr Negin Hesam-Shariati from UNSW's NeuroRecovery Research Hub.
Participants used a low-cost EEG (electroencephalogram) headset and tablet-based game at home, with remote monitoring by researchers.
Designed using 3D printing and open-source parts, the headset costs around $193.7, far cheaper than commercial systems, and uses wet electrodes to target the brain's sensorimotor cortex for accurate pain-related readings, PainWaive's design prioritises accessibility for those with limited access to conventional treatments, Gustin said. She added that recruitment is underway for two larger trials targeting chronic spinal pain and neuropathic pain from spinal cord injuries.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Australian Scientists Have Found A Way To Fight Superbug That Kills 10 Lakh Every Year
Australian Scientists Have Found A Way To Fight Superbug That Kills 10 Lakh Every Year

News18

time7 hours ago

  • News18

Australian Scientists Have Found A Way To Fight Superbug That Kills 10 Lakh Every Year

Last Updated: Australian scientists at the Peter Doherty Institute developed Real-Time Genome Sequencing to combat Staphylococcus aureus, improving treatment precision and saving lives In a major global health breakthrough, Australian scientists have developed a revolutionary technology to outsmart one of the world's deadliest bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, commonly known as 'Golden Staph'. This superbug, which claims nearly a million lives each year, has increasingly outwitted conventional antibiotics, forcing the medical world to search for smarter solutions. Now, researchers at Melbourne's Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity believe they may have found one. Their answer lies in a cutting-edge innovation called Real-Time Genome Sequencing, a technique that allows doctors to track the DNA of dangerous bacteria live, as the infection progresses within the patient's body. Unlike traditional lab tests that often only identify the bacteria species, this real-time sequencing goes several steps further: it pinpoints the exact genetic mutations, reveals how the bacteria is evolving, and identifies which antibiotics are likely to fail or succeed. This leap in diagnostic precision means that treatment decisions can now be based on hard genomic data, rather than educated guesswork. Doctors can adapt therapies instantly as the infection mutates, a key advantage when dealing with highly resistant bacteria like Golden Staph. The results of the study, recently published in Nature Communications, are striking. The technology was trialed across seven Melbourne hospitals. Researchers found that in nearly one-third of Golden Staph infection cases, the bacteria mutated during the course of treatment, rendering previously effective drugs useless. In one particularly alarming case, a patient who appeared to recover relapsed shortly after stopping medication. When the infection returned, the bacteria had become 80 times more powerful. Thanks to real-time sequencing, clinicians were able to identify this sudden mutation early and swiftly alter the treatment plan, ultimately saving the patient's life. The success of the project is now paving the way for a global first. Hospitals across Victoria are preparing to launch the world's first clinical genomic service, integrating this real-time technology into routine care for patients with severe, drug-resistant infections. This innovation could not be more timely. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has already warned that if antibiotic resistance continues to grow unchecked, superbugs could cause up to 10 million deaths annually by 2050, surpassing the current global toll of cancer. Golden Staph is one of the biggest culprits, notorious for infecting wounds, lungs, and even the bloodstream, often in hospital settings. 'This is not just a scientific advancement, it's a crucial tool in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance," said one of the lead researchers at the Doherty Institute. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published:

A boy kept fainting during baths. Hyderabad doctor reveals this rare disease is found in many parts of south India
A boy kept fainting during baths. Hyderabad doctor reveals this rare disease is found in many parts of south India

Economic Times

time9 hours ago

  • Economic Times

A boy kept fainting during baths. Hyderabad doctor reveals this rare disease is found in many parts of south India

Dr Sudhir Kumar recently shared how a 12-year-old patient of his fainted while taking a bath during winters. In rural India, where winters are marked by foggy mornings and the warmth of steaming baths, a seemingly harmless routine turned life-altering for a young boy. What started as dizziness during hot water baths spiralled into sudden blackouts, stiffened limbs, and fainting episodes that baffled his family. It wasn't until years later that a diagnosis finally put their fears to rest, revealing a rare condition that few know even exists: Hot Water Epilepsy. Twelve-year-old Sai Teja (name changed), a bright and cheerful student from a small town in Andhra Pradesh, had spent three winters haunted by mysterious spells that followed his morning bath. A lover of cricket and top of his class, Sai's vibrant personality stood in sharp contrast to the strange episodes that unfolded only when hot water touched his head. Initially brushed off as fainting spells or cold-weather reactions, his condition grew more concerning when he collapsed in the bathroom, injuring himself. Local doctors provided vague explanations, suggesting cooler baths or dismissing the incidents altogether. But it wasn't until his worried parents took him to a neurologist in Hyderabad that things began to make sense. Dr. Sudhir Kumar, who treated the case and later shared the experience on X (formerly Twitter), conducted a thorough examination. While the MRI scan came back normal, the EEG revealed abnormal brain activity. The answer was clear: Sai was suffering from Hot Water Epilepsy (HWE), a rare form of reflex epilepsy primarily seen in young boys from South India, especially Andhra Pradesh. — hyderabaddoctor (@hyderabaddoctor) Unlike typical epilepsy, HWE is triggered not by random brain activity but by a very specific stimulus—hot water poured over the head. Once diagnosed, the condition is manageable. Sai was prescribed anti-seizure medication, and his family was advised on practical changes: use lukewarm water for baths, avoid pouring hot water on the head, and steer clear of steam-heavy these changes in place, Sai has remained seizure-free for over two years. His confidence has returned, and he's back to thriving now, prepping for a school quiz championship and living life to the fullest.

New AI-powered tool to transform type 1 diabetes diagnosis, treatment
New AI-powered tool to transform type 1 diabetes diagnosis, treatment

Hans India

time11 hours ago

  • Hans India

New AI-powered tool to transform type 1 diabetes diagnosis, treatment

New Delhi: Australian researchers have pioneered a new artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tool to assess the risk of developing type 1 diabetes (T1D). The tool, developed by researchers at Western Sydney University, predicts treatment responses, potentially changing how the disease is diagnosed and managed. The tool utilises an innovative risk score - Dynamic Risk Score (DRS4C) which can classify individuals as having or not having T1D. It is based on microRNAs - small RNA molecules measured from blood -- to help accurately capture the changing risk of T1D. 'T1D risk prediction is timely, with therapies that can delay T1D progression becoming recognised and available. Since early-onset T1D before the age of 10 years is particularly aggressive and linked to up to 16 years of reduced life expectancy, accurately predicting progression gives doctors a powerful tool to intervene sooner,' said Professor Anand Hardikar, lead investigator from the University's School of Medicine and Translational Health Research Institute. In their article published in the journal Nature Medicine, the research analysed molecular data in 5,983 study samples from participants across India, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and the US, to develop DRS4C. By leveraging AI, the researchers enhanced the risk score, which was validated in 662 other participants. Just an hour after therapy, the risk score predicted which individuals with T1D would remain insulin-free. In addition to T1D risk and drug efficacy prediction, the risk score could potentially discriminate T1D from Type 2 diabetes. Dr. Mugdha Joglekar, lead researcher, from the School of Medicine and Translational Health Research Institute at the University, explained the difference between genetic and dynamic risk markers, adding that genetic testing offered a static view of risk. 'Genetic markers identify lifelong risk, it's like knowing you live in a flood zone, but dynamic risk scores offer a real-time check on the rising water levels; it reflects current risk rather than a lifelong sentence, allowing for timely and adaptive monitoring without stigma,' said Joglekar.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store